The Michigan Wolverines are 3-1 on the season. Nearly a month into the 2024 college football season, the reigning National Champions’ only blemish is to No.1 Texas. It’s true that, at times, the Wolverines have looked flawed. But their record is their record. If they continue down this way, then the Wolverines may find themselves in a position to make a run at the Big Ten Championship and the College Football Playoff.
Is it likely? We don’t know for sure, but Michigan pulled off an unlikely win over Southern Cal this past weekend. The Wolverines had fewer than 40 yards passing and still came away with a three-point victory that they wrestled away from USC in the final minute.
That victory has seemingly led to a referendum on Michigan and their potential chances of making this year’s College Football Playoff. ESPN’s Pete Thamel said a revision could be necessary on Monday’s College GameDay podcast. He raved over Michigan’s ability to run the ball down the Trojans’ thought, even while it was the obvious gameplan.
Thamel then discussed his thoughts on the Wolverines‘ projections this year, and gave an honest outlook.
“I feel like this game, for Michigan, is cathartic, right?” Thamel said. “Because they’re not trying to dig out of a hole for the rest of the season. It sort of resets their playoff aspirations,” he declared. “It gives them something they lacked earlier this season, which is an identity. They just did not have one.”
“I have some skepticism, cause the line is so green, that this is going to work consistently in and out of that league. But give them credit man. You gotta win those big games,” Thamel said. “That comes down as an epic victory for them.”
We’ll see how Michigan fares against Minnesota this weekend to give us an idea of how they’ll respond to that emotional win.
